Aminophylline as an adjunct diuretic for neonates--a case series.

Aminophylline is an adenosine receptor antagonist. Adult and paediatric studies have demonstrated a diuretic effect of aminophylline due to increased renal blood flow and the inhibition of solute reabsorption in various segments of the nephron. We report a case series of five infants with volume overload despite frusemide treatment. Aminophylline was successfully used as an adjunct diuretic with increased urine output and effective weight loss occurring in all five neonates following its introduction.